Aleix Espargaro, who recently stepped away from MotoGP racing, has revealed that he is now part of the Lidl-Trek professional cycling squad.

After ending his full-time career in MotoGP, Aleix Espargaro has become a member of the Lidl-Trek professional cycling team.

Starting January 1, 2025, Espargaro will take on a role as an ambassador for the Lidl-Trek team.

According to a statement from the team, Espargaro will participate in the Lidl-Trek team at several of the most renowned events on the schedule.

Espargaro expressed excitement about becoming part of the Lidl-Trek team, which includes some of the top cyclists globally.

"I am eager to gain knowledge from top cyclists and experienced staff, challenge myself, and involve fans in this unique experience."

Espargar, who has been passionate about cycling for many years, shared that he decided to leave his MotoGP racing career sooner than he had intended in order to become part of the Lidl-Trek team.

He expressed that cycling has long been a personal passion, and he chose to leave MotoGP sooner than he initially intended to participate in a program that perfectly matches his interests.

"I am incredibly thankful to Lidl-Trek for accepting me into their team and backing me. I am committed to putting in my utmost effort."

Espargaro revealed that he would step down from competing full-time in MotoGP at the Catalunya Grand Prix, which is his home race, this year.

In addition to his responsibilities with Lidl-Trek, Espargaro has taken on a new testing role for HRC's MotoGP project. He started this position during the official test in Barcelona last month, which occurred after the season-ending Solidarity Grand Prix.

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Davide Tardozzi criticizes Pecco Bagnaia: “Those competitors are defeating you”

“You can’t constantly act politely. It’s not always possible…”

A newly released three-part MotoGP series by Ducati showcases a rather intense exchange between Francesco Bagnaia and Davide Tardozzi.

The documentary series titled "Dream On: Ducati and Bagnaia’s Pursuit of Glory" aims to provide an insider's perspective on the concluding stages of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship, specifically highlighting the Ducati Lenovo Team and their spotlight on Bagnaia.

A significant moment in the initial episode, released on Ducati's YouTube channel on December 15, occurs following the Sprint at the Thai Grand Prix.

Starting from pole position, Bagnaia found himself in third place after the initial corner as his championship competitor, Jorge Martin, overtook him on the inside approach to the first turn.

The Italian rider regained his place ahead of Martin as they exited the corner. However, later in the race, the Spaniard overtook him again during the transition from turn six to turn seven, pushing Bagnaia down to third place.

The scene takes place inside Bagnaia's truck following the Sprint event, featuring a conversation among Bagnaia, his wife, sister, press officer, and Davide Tardozzi, the manager of the Ducati Lenovo Team.

"Martin showed courage today," Tardozzi remarked to Bagnaia.

"The courage to take you down. […] He had already made up his mind to trouble you. He did what was necessary."

"That's your task for tomorrow. You can't constantly be the nice guy. It's not possible, especially when these guys are beating you."

According to the statement, Martin deliberately aimed for you at the initial turn, having premeditated his decision to collide with you. This is absolutely certain.

"You should stop being overly polite, as these individuals will take advantage of you."

Following a last-minute decision, which was highlighted in the initial episode of *Dream On*, Bagnaia's team altered his main bike to a wet setup. This strategic move allowed him to recover from the Sprint's setbacks and secure his first Grand Prix victory in the top category under rainy conditions.

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The adjustments Aprilia must implement for Jorge Martin to secure a significant place in MotoGP history

While maintaining a MotoGP world championship is challenging, Jorge Martin faces an additional hurdle as he will be defending it with a new manufacturer in 2025.

Spanish racer Jorge Martin's transition from the Pramac Ducati team to Aprilia offers him a unique chance to secure MotoGP championships with multiple manufacturers.

In order for him to achieve that, Aprilia, which secured third place in the constructors' standings this year, must enhance its MotoGP package.

"The situation is indeed a step down," stated Jordan Moreland, host of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, explaining that Ducati's dominance is the reason. He noted that during Jorge Martin's initial test in Barcelona, although his personal thoughts weren't shared publicly, the team appeared to be quite satisfied with the results.

"The focus for Aprilia is on advancing further, as they've been working towards this goal for the past season and a half. The progress they've made, especially compared to Ducati, has been quite evident."

Peter McLaren, the editor at Crash.net for MotoGP, highlighted that a crucial factor for Martin's championship in 2025 is maintaining consistency. This was an area where the Mallorcan excelled in 2024, unlike Aprilia, which struggled with it.

McLaren commented, "I believe it was [Massimo] Rivola who mentioned that they need to improve their overall average, right?"

This year, they stood out as the sole factory to surpass Ducati, marking a significant accomplishment. However, they also fell behind KTM in the constructors' rankings.

"Aprilia's performance has been somewhat inconsistent, and they must improve their average results to remain competitive in the championship race."

Securing the championship would position Martin as just the third racer ever to claim consecutive premier class Grand Prix titles on different motorcycle brands, following in the footsteps of Valentino Rossi (2003–04) and Eddie Lawson (1988–89).

McLaren stated that achieving this would be incredibly significant for Martin.

"To my knowledge, only Valentino Rossi and Eddie Lawson have won consecutive championships with different manufacturers. This presents an opportunity for him to achieve a significant historical feat."

"He definitely faces a significant challenge, but the initial step is to achieve consistency."

"We witnessed Maverick's incredible performances at the Circuit of the Americas (COTA), where he secured a victory that left even him puzzled as to why everything clicked so perfectly at that venue. However, he hasn't reached the podium since then, highlighting the importance of consistency."

"It's not the most exciting term, and it might seem dull, but consistency is crucial for winning championships, especially when the season includes over 40 races. This fact was evident this year when Martin managed to outperform Bagnaia, despite Bagnaia having claimed victory in more Grands Prix."

A crucial factor in improving consistency will be making more effective use of the 2024 Michelin rear tire. This was a variable in the past season that only Ducati managed to fully optimize.

Crash.net journalist Lewis Duncan stated that Aprilia's primary requirement from Martin is insight into how the 2024 Ducati managed to optimize the performance of the 2024 Michelin rear tire.

The crucial aspect for Aprilia is this: when you talk to riders from KTM or Aprilia, they’re uncertain but tend to believe that the issues they encountered this year differ from those they faced in the previous year. Consequently, the only thing that can be held responsible is the new rear tire.

"The issue isn't with the rear tire itself; the new rear tire offers such enhanced grip that only Ducati managed to fully take advantage of it."

"After they discovered its potential, no one else could achieve the same."

It has been observed that KTM experienced significant vibration issues, which were likely tied to the rear tire. Honda encountered similar problems, and Ducati faced them initially. While the Aprilia riders did not seem to voice many complaints about vibrations, they dealt with other challenges such as grip problems, traction difficulties, and notably high degradation during Grand Prix races.

The ability to deliver a powerful performance in a single lap was evident, and their speed was acceptable in shorter races; however, they faced difficulties maintaining this over extended distances.

In Malaysia, Aleix Espargaro seemed unaware of the situation. Aprilia is likely expecting that Martin can provide at least this level of insight. If Aprilia's hypothesis is correct—that the issue involves the 2024 rear tire—then Martin is someone who has experience with making that tire perform effectively on a bike.

Nonetheless, even though Aprilia's goals leading up to the 2025 Thai Grand Prix in early March are evident, reaching those objectives will be challenging due to staffing changes in Noale this winter.

Marco Bezzecchi and Martin, along with Fabiano Sterlacchini, the new technical director stepping in for Romano Albesiano, have all now joined the factory.

Duncan stated that Aprilia is undergoing changes with a fresh set of riders and a new technical head, as Fabiano Sterlacchini has stepped in to succeed Romano Albesiano.

Sterlacchini parted ways with the KTM project in June. However, he struggled to fully optimize the performance of the KTM RC16's rear tire before his departure. The team faces a significant winter season, and the initial tests are expected to be intriguing.

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Giacomo Agostini shares his thoughts on the rivalry between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi, noting that "they were not contemporaries…"

Giacomo Agostini, who has won the World Championship 15 times, has shared his thoughts on the competition between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi.

Agostini holds the record for the most race victories in Grand Prix racing history, surpassing Rossi. However, after Marquez joined the premier class in 2013, he consistently outperformed the Italian in the riders' rankings, except for the 2015 and 2020 seasons. During his first seven seasons in the top class, the Spanish rider claimed six championship titles.

Giovanni Agostini expressed to the Spanish outlet Relevo that Marc Marquez is his soft spot, explaining that Marquez captivates audiences and racegoers with his performances. Agostini noted that Marquez is an entertainer who is adored by fans.

According to Agostini, Rossi is considered "a great."

"A rider with great strategic skills. To achieve nine world championships, one must possess excellent instincts."

The competition between the two was seldom evident in direct confrontations during races, particularly beyond the year 2015, which Agostini attributes to the timing and Marquez's personal mindset.

Nevertheless, it remains considered one of the fiercest rivalries in MotoGP over the last decade.

"They were not of the same age," he explained. "One of them had begun, while the other had not. This might have influenced the outcome in the end, you see?"

"While I acknowledge that Rossi has also sparked excitement, I believe that Marquez is actually more audacious, fearless, and adventurous."

“He is a warrior, and this could endear him to many. Marc is relentless and always puts on a great show.”

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Giacomo Agostini shares his thoughts on the rivalry between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi, noting that they were not contemporaries in terms of age.

Giacomo Agostini, who has won the World Championship 15 times, has shared his thoughts on the competition between Marc Marquez and Valentino Rossi.

Agostini holds the record for the most race victories in the history of Grand Prix racing, surpassing Rossi. However, after Marquez entered the premier class in 2013, he consistently outperformed the Italian in the riders' rankings, except in the 2015 and 2020 seasons. During his first seven seasons at the top level, the Spaniard clinched six championship titles.

In an interview with the Spanish outlet Relevo, Agostini expressed that Marc Marquez is his soft spot. He believes Marquez energizes the audience and captivates race-goers with his performances, making him a crowd favorite.

Agostini described Rossi as "a great."

"A racer with strategic skill. To secure nine world championships, one must possess natural talent."

The competition between the two rarely translated into direct confrontations on the track, notably after 2015. Agostini attributes this to the timing and Marquez’s personal mindset.

Despite everything, it continues to be seen as one of the fiercest rivalries in MotoGP over the last decade.

"They weren't the same age," he remarked. "One of them had begun, while the other hadn't. This might have influenced the end results, you know?"

While I acknowledge that Rossi also sparked excitement, I must admit that, upon reflection, Marquez strikes me as more audacious, fearless, and adventurous.

"He is a warrior, and this trait might appeal to people even more. Marc is relentless and always puts on a great show."

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Augusto Fernandez has secured a contract for 2025 following his departure from KTM's MotoGP team. He will now serve as a test rider for Yamaha’s MotoGP initiative.

Augusto Fernandez has been officially announced as a test rider for the Yamaha MotoGP team.

Earlier this year, Fernandez's stint as a full-time MotoGP racer concluded after two years when KTM and the Tech3 team decided to part ways with him at the conclusion of the 2024 season. He is now set to become part of Yamaha's official MotoGP test team alongside Cal Crutchlow.

The racer from Spain managed to secure a top finish of fourth place during his two-year stint in the MotoGP series, with this achievement occurring at the 2023 French Grand Prix. In 2024, the transition to KTM's carbon frame proved challenging for the Spaniard, hindering further progress during his initial year in the top category. However, due to Yamaha's current concessions status, he will have the opportunity to participate in as many as six wildcard races in 2025.

"I am thrilled and extremely excited to become a test rider for Yamaha in 2025," stated Fernandez.

"Being included in the Yamaha team is a significant privilege, and I am grateful to everyone who helped make this possible."

"In this exciting venture, I am committed to putting in my utmost effort to return Yamaha to their rightful position."

Yamaha Racing's Managing Director, Lin Jarvis, shared that Fernandez is set to be the main substitute rider for Yamaha in the 2025 season. This means if any of their four riders are unable to compete due to injury, Fernandez will step in. Furthermore, it is suggested that Fernandez will participate in all six of Yamaha's wildcard races.

Yamaha is focusing on bike development in order to quickly get back to their winning form, according to Jarvis.

"We have brought on Augusto as our second Yamaha Test Rider to work alongside Cal Crutchlow. Cal was unfortunately unable to handle all his testing responsibilities in 2024, making it clear that we needed to hire an additional rider to help complete all the necessary tasks for 2025."

"We are confident that Augusto will integrate well with the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Team and the YZR-M1 motorcycle. As a young and speedy rider, Augusto has the opportunity to work with Cal and master the unique techniques needed for a dedicated test rider role."

"Our present standing allows us to fully utilize the maximum capacity of the testing program. Beyond the tests, we plan to engage in as many as six wild-card races. Additionally, Augusto will serve as the designated substitute rider if any of the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team or Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP riders are unable to compete at any point during the 2025 season."

"The numerous chances to ride ought to help Augusto keep up his racing pace as he continues with the demanding testing duties."

Augusto has begun collaborating with us behind the scenes, and he will officially take part in his first test during the shakedown session in Sepang, scheduled for late January 2025.

"Currently, we are keeping a close eye on Cal's recovery from his arm problems earlier this year, and we are optimistic that he will be back soon to continue his testing responsibilities."

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KTM has removed former racing legend Jeremy McWilliams from his longstanding position as a test rider.

According to reports, Jeremy McWilliams, who is a former Grand Prix motorcycle racer, has been removed from his position as a test rider at KTM, a position he has occupied for the past 15 years.

Since 2009, McWilliams has served at KTM. He is notably recognized in the Grand Prix scene for being the last rider to secure a pole position in the top category using a 500cc motorcycle during the 2002 Australian Grand Prix.

As reported by the German outlet Speedweek, the agreement between McWilliams and KTM, initially set to continue until the close of 2025, has been abruptly ended due to KTM's present financial difficulties. This decision marks the conclusion of a 15-year partnership between the motorcycle manufacturer from Mattighofen and the rider from Belfast.

As a test rider for KTM, McWilliams has primarily focused on testing production models. However, he was also brought in during the initial phase of developing the RC16.

Lately, McWilliams has played a role in creating the latest mid-range sports bike from an Austrian company, the RC 990. This motorcycle is designed for KTM to compete in the Supersport category, going head-to-head with rivals such as the Ducati Panigale V2, Kawasaki ZX-6R, and Yamaha R9.

Prior to joining KTM, McWilliams played a role in the BMW S1000RR project. At that time, the Bavarian brand was working on the initial versions of the motorcycle, which has since achieved success by winning the World Superbike Championship with its new M Power model, ridden by Toprak Razgatlioglu.

The racer from Northern Ireland has been performing well in competitions lately. He secured a podium finish in the second Supertwin race at the North West 200 this year. Additionally, he has been a strong contender for wins while riding as a factory Indian rider in the MotoAmerica King of the Baggers category, which features high-displacement touring motorcycles.

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Lorenzo Savadori will continue his role as a test rider for Aprilia in MotoGP, following the signing of a new contract. Aprilia has officially announced that Savadori will stay on in this capacity.

Lorenzo Savadori has secured his position as Aprilia's official MotoGP test rider for a minimum of two more years, following the signing of a fresh agreement with the Noale-based manufacturer.

Under the new agreement, Savadori will continue as a test rider until at least the conclusion of 2026. This will mark his seventh year in this position and coincide with the final year of the existing 1,000cc MotoGP rules.

"I'm thrilled to extend this journey and keep collaborating with Aprilia Racing for the upcoming two seasons," Savadori expressed.

Over the past few years, our performance has been exceptional, and I am confident that our progress will keep advancing.

"Our progress has been steady and methodical, driven by a clear objective that remains our primary focus: elevating the RS-GP to the pinnacle of MotoGP."

The CEO of Aprilia Racing, Massimo Rivola, emphasized that the length of time Savadori will serve as a test rider for Aprilia is especially significant this year. This comes as the Italian manufacturer introduces two new riders: Marco Bezzecchi and the recent MotoGP World Champion, Jorge Martin. Rivola also announced that Savadori will participate as a wildcard entrant in select Grands Prix events in 2025.

"We are pleased to announce that Aprilia Racing will maintain its collaboration with Lorenzo Savadori, a key figure in our initiative. Together with the test team, he has contributed significantly to our remarkable progress in recent years," stated Rivola.

"Sava symbolizes ongoing progress for us, which is essential when collaborating with a highly reliable test rider. This is particularly crucial in a significant year when the factory team will welcome two new riders."

"He will serve as an important asset at certain Grand Prix events, where he will occasionally participate as a wild card, testing out new and innovative approaches."

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Augusto Fernandez has secured a contract for 2025 following his departure from KTM's MotoGP team. He will be taking on the role of a test rider for Yamaha's MotoGP initiative.

Augusto Fernandez has been officially announced as a test rider for the Yamaha MotoGP team.

Earlier this year, Fernandez concluded his two-year stint as a full-time MotoGP rider when he was let go by KTM and the Tech3 team at the end of the 2024 season. He is set to team up with Cal Crutchlow as part of Yamaha's official MotoGP test team.

The Spanish racer reached his highest placement, finishing fourth, during his two-year MotoGP career at the 2023 French Grand Prix. In 2024, he transitioned to KTM's carbon frame, which made it challenging for him to improve upon his debut season in the top class. However, due to Yamaha's present concessions status, he will have the opportunity to participate in as many as six wildcard events in 2025.

Fernandez expressed his joy and enthusiasm about becoming a test rider for Yamaha in 2025.

"I am deeply honored to join the Yamaha family and extend my gratitude to everyone involved in making this possible."

"In this exciting initiative, I am committed to supporting Yamaha in reclaiming their rightful position."

Lin Jarvis, the Managing Director of Yamaha Racing, revealed that Fernandez is set to be the main substitute for Yamaha if any of their four racers for the 2025 season are unable to compete due to injury. Furthermore, there is an indication that Fernandez will participate in each of Yamaha's six wildcard races.

According to Jarvis, Yamaha is focusing on advancing their motorcycle technology in order to quickly get back to achieving victories.

"We have brought Augusto on board as our second Yamaha Test Rider to work alongside Cal Crutchlow. Due to Cal's inability to meet all his testing responsibilities in 2024, it was clear that we required an additional rider to help us accomplish all necessary tasks for 2025."

"We think Augusto will suit the Yamaha Factory Racing MotoGP Test Team and the YZR-M1 motorcycle well. Being young and quick, Augusto has the potential to conduct tests with Cal and gain knowledge of the unique techniques needed for a dedicated test rider."

Our present performance standing allows us to fully utilize the maximum capacity of the testing program. Besides the tests, we plan to engage in as many as six wild-card races. Additionally, Augusto will be the primary substitute rider if any of the racers from the Monster Energy Yamaha MotoGP Team or the Prima Pramac Yamaha MotoGP Team are unable to compete at any point in 2025.

Augusto's numerous chances to ride are expected to help him keep up his racing pace as he continues with his demanding testing responsibilities.

Augusto has begun collaborating with us behind the scenes, and his initial on-track involvement is scheduled for the shakedown test in Sepang, which will take place at the end of January 2025.

"Currently, we are monitoring Cal's recovery from his arm problems earlier this year, and we are optimistic that he will be able to get back to his testing responsibilities promptly."

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Former MotoGP Competitor Aleix Espargaro Moves to Pro Cycling

Aleix Espargaro, who has just ended his career in MotoGP racing, revealed his new path with the Lidl-Trek pro cycling team.

Aleix Espargaro has become a part of the Lidl-Trek pro cycling squad after wrapping up his career in MotoGP on a full-time basis.

Espargaro is set to officially start his tenure with the Lidl-Trek team as an ambassador from January 1, 2025.

Espargaro will also participate in some of the most renowned events on the schedule as part of the Lidl-Trek team, according to a statement from the team.

"I'm excited to become a part of the Lidl-Trek team, renowned for having top-tier cyclists globally," Espargaro expressed.

"I'm thrilled to have the opportunity to gain knowledge from top-tier cyclists and team members, challenge my boundaries, and take supporters along on this extraordinary adventure."

Espargar, a passionate cyclist for many years, announced his departure from professional MotoGP competitions "sooner than expected" to become a part of the Lidl-Trek squad.

"I've been deeply passionate about cycling for many years, so I chose to leave MotoGP sooner than expected to be part of a program that matches perfectly with my interest," he explained.

"I'm profoundly thankful to Lidl-Trek for embracing me into their fold and backing me up. I'll pour my heart and soul into it."

Espargaro declared he would be stepping away from full-time MotoGP competition, making the announcement during his home Grand Prix in Catalunya this year.

Espargaro's responsibilities with Lidl-Trek will be complemented by a fresh testing role for HRC's MotoGP endeavor, a duty he commenced during the official test in Barcelona last month, subsequent to the season-ending Solidarity Grand Prix.

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Davide Tardozzi criticizes Pecco Bagnaia: "Your rivals are outperforming you"

"You can't always play it safe. It's just not possible…"

Video footage from a newly released three-part series on MotoGP by Ducati has unveiled a notably heated exchange between Francesco Bagnaia and Davide Tardozzi.

The show, titled "Dream On: Ducati and Bagnaia’s Pursuit of Glory," aims to provide an insider's view of the concluding races of the 2024 MotoGP World Championship, seen through the lens of the Ducati Lenovo Team and centered around Bagnaia.

A pivotal moment from the initial episode, released on Ducati’s YouTube channel on December 15th, unfolds following the Sprint at the Thai Grand Prix.

Beginning the race from the leading position, Bagnaia found himself in third place just after the initial turn, having been overtaken on the inside by his championship competitor, Jorge Martin, as they approached the first bend.

On the Italian's maneuver to overtake Martin at the corner's exit, he initially succeeded in gaining the lead. However, during the race's progression from turn six to turn seven, the Spaniard skillfully overtook him on a directional change, relegating Bagnaia to third place once again.

The segment captures a conversation inside Bagnaia's truck following the Sprint, featuring Bagnaia, his spouse, sibling, media representative, and the Ducati Lenovo Team's leader, Davide Tardozzi, all in attendance.

"Today, Martin showed real courage," Tardozzi said to Bagnaia.

"The courage to take you down. […] His mind was made up about troubling you. He carried out what was necessary."

"That's your task for tomorrow. You can't always play the nice guy. It's just not possible, because these guys are completely outdoing you."

"Martin singled you out right at the first turn; he had made up his mind to collide with you. There's absolutely no question about it."

"You must cease behaving so politely, for these individuals will ruthlessly destroy you."

The following day, a last-minute choice to switch Bagnaia's main motorcycle to a wet configuration, a decision-making process featured in the inaugural episode of Dream On, played a crucial role in his recovery from the Sprint's letdown, leading to his first win in the top category under rainy conditions during the Grand Prix.

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In August 2024, Alex became a member of the Crash.net crew after spending two years reporting on motorcycle racing and consumer news for Visordown.

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Adjustments Aprilia Must Implement for Jorge Martin to Secure a Significant MotoGP Legacy

Securing a MotoGP championship is an achievement, yet Jorge Martin faces the challenge of doing so after transitioning to a different manufacturer in 2025.

Jorge Martin's transition to Aprilia from the Pramac Ducati squad offers the Spanish motorcyclist an uncommon chance to secure MotoGP championships with various manufacturers.

To achieve this, Aprilia, which secured third place in this year's team rankings, must enhance its MotoGP offering.

"Jordan Moreland, the host of the Crash MotoGP Podcast, stated it's a step back, given Ducati's supremacy in the field. However, during the initial trial in Barcelona for [Jorge] Martin, while we didn't directly receive his feedback, the overall impression was that there was a sense of satisfaction."

"The focus for Aprilia is truly on advancing to the next level, especially considering their performance over the past one and a half seasons. There's been a significant gap between them and Ducati, which has become quite apparent."

Crash.net's MotoGP chief, Peter McLaren, highlighted that a key factor in Martin's 2025 championship success will be maintaining steady performances — a feat Martin mastered in 2024, unlike Aprilia.

McLaren mentioned, "I believe it was [Massimo] Rivola who made the observation; their goal should be to improve their overall performance, shouldn't it?"

This year, they stood out as the sole manufacturer to surpass Ducati, marking a significant accomplishment. However, concurrently, they fell behind KTM in the constructors' rankings.

"Aprilia faces a mixed situation, but improving their overall performance is essential for their championship aspirations."

Securing the championship would position Martin as the third racer ever to achieve consecutive premier class Grand Prix victories with different manufacturers, following in the footsteps of Valentino Rossi (2003–04) and Eddie Lawson (1988–89).

"Securing that achievement would be a tremendous accomplishment for Martin," McLaren elaborated.

"It seems that only Valentino Rossi and Eddie Lawson have achieved the feat of winning consecutive championships with different manufacturers, presenting an opportunity for him to carve out a significant piece of history."

"Undoubtedly, he has a significant challenge ahead, but the initial step is to achieve consistency."

We witnessed Maverick's remarkable performances at COTA, where he secured victories, achieving a flawless duo of wins that appeared to perplex even him, as he couldn't fathom why he excelled so much on that circuit, yet failing to make it to the podium thereafter. Thus, it truly boils down to consistency.

"The term might sound dull, and the concept might seem unexciting, yet it's truly the key to securing championships, particularly in a season that spans over 40 races. This was clearly demonstrated this year when Martin outperformed Bagnaia, despite Bagnaia securing a higher number of Grand Prix victories."

A crucial element in attaining improved consistency lies in effectively utilizing the 2024-spec Michelin rear tyre, an aspect from the previous season that solely Ducati managed to fully leverage.

"Lewis Duncan, a journalist from Crash.net, mentioned that the most crucial aspect Aprilia must understand from Martin is the strategy behind making the 2024 Ducati compatible with the 2024 Michelin rear tire."

The critical issue for Aprilia revolves around a singular element. Conversations with riders from both KTM and Aprilia reveal a sense of uncertainty. They somewhat believe that the challenges encountered this season were not present in the previous season. Therefore, the responsibility for these issues can be attributed to a single factor, which is the introduction of the new rear tire.

"This isn't to say the previous rear tire was inferior; rather, the latest rear tire offered significantly increased grip, which Ducati alone was truly able to take full advantage of."

"After they […] tapped into its capabilities, no one else could ever do the same."

"It's understood that KTM faced significant issues with vibrations, presumably connected to the rear tyre, a problem shared by Honda and initially by Ducati as well. While Aprilia riders didn't seem to have major complaints about vibrations, they encountered different challenges, including problems with grip, traction, and rapid wear during Grands Prix."

The burst of speed for a single lap was evident, and their speed during short races was satisfactory, yet they faced difficulties in maintaining performance over extended distances.

Hearing Aleix Espargaro speak in Malaysia, it was clear he was clueless. Aprilia's expectation from Martin, at the very minimum, revolves around this assumption—if they believe the 2024 rear tyre is the key, then they have someone familiar with its effectiveness on a motorcycle that utilized it successfully.

Nonetheless, although the path forward for Aprilia leading up to the 2025 Thai Grand Prix in early March may seem straightforward, the transition in staff at Noale over the winter season adds a layer of complexity to their efforts.

Marco Bezzecchi and Martin have made their way to the factory, and joining them is Fabiano Sterlacchini, the new technical chief stepping in for the outgoing Romano Albesiano.

Duncan stated: “Aprilia must undertake this with a fresh roster of riders and a new head of technology since Fabiano Sterlacchini has stepped in to fill the position previously held by [Romano] Albesiano.

Sterlacchini departed from the KTM initiative in June, and it was evident that he struggled to fully harness the potential of the rear tyre on the KTM RC16 motorcycle. They now face a significant winter period, with the initial few tests poised to offer some intriguing insights.

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In August 2024, Alex came on board with the Crash.net crew after spending two years reporting on consumer and racing motorcycle news for Visordown.

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